For starters: Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder

February 20, 2014|By Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel

OKLAHOMA CITY — With Russell Westbrook back for the Thunder, a look at the starting lineups, inactives, referees and a pregame note of note for Thursday's 8 p.m. game between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena (TV: TNT. Radio: 790-AM, 104.3-FM, 106.3-FM, 710-AM-Spanish):

Starting lineups

MIAMI HEAT (38-14)

Center: Chris Bosh

Power forward: Shane Battier

Small forward: LeBron James

Shooting guard: Dwyane Wade

Point guard: Mario Chalmers

Inactive: James Jones.

Coach: Erik Spoelstra

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (43-12)

Center: Kendrick Perkins

Power forward: Serge Ibaka

Small forward: Kevin Durant

Shooting guard: Thabo Sefolosha

Point guard: Russell Westbrook

Inactive: None.

Coach: Scott Brooks.

Referees: Bill Kennedy, David Jones, Derek Richardson.

Pregame note of note: After 2007-08, when Oklahoma City won 20 games after a 3-29 start, the Thunder have proceeded to increase their winning percentage in each subsequent season. With a 43-12 record through the first three-plus months of the season, Oklahoma City is on pace to become just the second team in NBA history (joining the Minnesota Timberwolves, 1992-93 to 1997-98) to increase its winning percentage for six consecutive seasons. With a 60-22 record during 2012-13, Oklahoma City became just the second team in NBA history (joining the Boston Celtics, 1955-1960) to increase its winning percentage for five consecutive seasons while maintaining a winning percentage of .700 or better in two of those seasons.